The term Various Artists is used in the record industry when numerous singers and musicians collaborate on a song or collection of songs. Most often on Last.fm, compilation album tracks appear under the name of Various Artists erroneously because the individual artist is not listed in the album's ID3 information.
Compilation albums, for example.
Sometimes, single releases may be credited to Various Artists when their profits are going to charity and, usually in high-profile cases, are sometimes known by a group name. Examples include Band Aid with their releases of Do They Know It's Christmas? and USA for Africa with We Are The World.
Various Artists is also an actual performance name for Torsten Pröfrock, who runs the German DIN label. Torsten performs also as Dynamo, Erosion, Resilent, Traktor besides some others. He's a good friend of Robert Henke and since the Fall of 2004, he is a member of Monolake.
Various Artists was also a short-lived Bristol punk band formed by brothers Jonjo and Robin Key (originally from Birmingham). Other members were also simultaneously in Art Objects who went on to become The Blue Aeroplanes, the latter the Key brothers also co-wrote some songs and were involved in. When Various Artists imploded, the Key brothers went on to form Either / Or.
Various Artists also appear on tracks from musical theater soundtracks, due to the nature of having many cast members on one song, as well as an ensemble in some cases.
Pills
Various Artists Lyrics
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But I'm still not sleepy
Tried to trick myself into thinking
That I'm not awake
That it's only a dream
Put that cigarette out
Don't ask me no questions
Salome dancing on my wall
Look so warm from here
I've seen it all before
Just one little lie
But the difference is this
It meant the world to me
Don't ask me no questions
"Take the wheel" she said "as I wander"
We could leave this town
I've got all I need: spirit, hope and joy
But no one knows me
I think I lost my pills
Guess I'll take my chances
I'm looking at the telephone
But nothing happens
I am well aware
That the morning is near
Put the radio down
Don't ask me no questions
The lyrics of "Pills" by Various Artists depict a sense of restlessness and a desire to escape from reality. The opening lines, "I've taken all my pills, but I'm still not sleepy," suggest a possible attempt to find solace or peace through medication, but it fails to provide the desired effect. The singer then tries to convince themselves that they are not actually awake but living in a dream, reflecting a desire to detach from their current state of being.
The mention of Salome dancing on the wall and warm shadows on the floor creates an image of surrealism and heightened emotions. This could symbolize the presence of an alluring but ultimately unattainable fantasy or escape. The repetition of having seen it all before indicates a sense of resignation and familiarity with the struggle to find fulfillment.
The following lines, "Don't ask me no questions, 'Take the wheel' she said 'as I wander'," convey a plea to be left alone and to follow one's own path. The suggestion of leaving the town represents a desire for freedom and a fresh start. The singer possesses spirit, hope, and joy, yet they feel unidentified and unknown by others. This reflects a disconnect between their internal state and how others perceive them, possibly leading to a sense of loneliness or isolation.
The mention of losing the pills and contemplating taking chances indicates a willingness to embrace uncertainty and take control of their own life. The final line, "Put the radio down, don't ask me no questions," denotes a desire to block out external distractions and pressures, suggesting a need for introspection and self-discovery.
Overall, "Pills" explores themes of restlessness, escape, and the quest for personal identity. It delves into the struggle between the desire for connection and the need for self-discovery and individuality.
Line by Line Meaning
I've taken all my pills
I have consumed all the prescribed medicine
But I'm still not sleepy
However, I still cannot fall asleep
Tried to trick myself into thinking
Attempted to deceive my own mind
That I'm not awake
To convince myself that I am not conscious
That it's only a dream
To believe it is nothing more than a figment of imagination
Put that cigarette out
Extinguish the lit cigarette
Don't ask me no questions
Please refrain from inquiring
Salome dancing on my wall
The image of Salome performing a dance projected onto my wall
And the shadows on the floor
As well as the silhouettes on the ground
Look so warm from here
Appear comforting and inviting from my current perspective
I've seen it all before
I have witnessed this scenario in the past
Just one little lie
Merely a small falsehood
But the difference is this
Yet, the disparity lies here
It meant the world to me
It held immense significance to me
Don't ask me no questions
I implore you not to pose any inquiries
"Take the wheel" she said "as I wander"
She instructed me to assume control while she aimlessly roams
We could leave this town
Together, we have the opportunity to depart from this locality
I've got all I need: spirit, hope and joy
I possess everything essential: enthusiasm, optimism, and happiness
But no one knows me
Yet, nobody truly comprehends who I am
I think I lost my pills
I believe I have misplaced my medication
Guess I'll take my chances
I suppose I will accept the risks
I'm looking at the telephone
I am gazing at the telephone device
But nothing happens
But no event transpires
I am well aware
I possess a clear understanding
That the morning is near
That the onset of dawn is imminent
Put the radio down
Place the radio device onto a surface
Don't ask me no questions
Please abstain from posing any inquiries
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: RALF JESEK, DIRK LAKOMY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind